Residents of Myshall, Co Carlow, have expressed their outrage at a decision by the Office of Public Works to outbid a charitable organisation and buy the local holistic centre, Ionad Follain.
It has emerged that the State body outbid the Irish Society for Autism by over £350,000 to secure the premises for the accommodation of upwards of 40 refugees.
The ISA confirmed it had wanted to establish a centre for young autistic people at Ionad Follain, but when the property was withdrawn from auction at £650,000, the OPW then offered in excess of £1 million, a sum the charity could not match.
Following these revelations, last night's planned meeting between Myshall residents and OPW representatives to discuss refugee accommodation at the premises was postponed.
The OPW stated it was now exploring other options.
"The families and friends of people with autism in the Carlow/Kilkenny area are deeply upset by what they see as a betrayal of one of the most voiceless groups in society by the Government," said Ms Maria Dollard, chairperson of the ISA Carlow/Kilkenny branch.
"This is shocking; firstly, that the OPW can raise the market value of a property by over £350,000 of taxpayers' money and secondly, that they would do this to a charitable organisation which provides a service to people, many of whom are offered no more than a place in a psychiatric institution by our Government," she said.
"We are asking the Government to give us the shortfall so that we might pursue this project."